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DNR

Wild Animals/Exotics

The animals listed below are examples of the exotic species regulated under Georgia Law. The Department should be consulted before any exotic animals which are not normally domesticated in Georgia are acquired. Hybrids or crosses between any combination of domestic animals, wildlife, or regulated wild animals and all subsequent generations are regulated in Georgia and may not be held without a license. The exotic species listed below, except where otherwise noted, may not be held as pets in Georgia. This list is not all inclusive.

Marsupials (wallabies, kangaroos, sugar gliders, etc.); all species

Note: Sugar gliders are legal as pets if the owner possesses valid documentation that the animal originated from a source inspected and regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Insectivores (shrews, moles, hedgehogs, tenrecs, etc.); all species

Flying lemurs; all species

Bats; all species

Primates (monkeys, apes, etc.); all species

Sloths, armadillos, etc.; all species

Pangolins or scaly anteaters; all species

Rabbits and hares; all species except those normally domesticated

Rodents (capybaras, cavies, prairie dogs, degus, etc.); all species except those normally domesticated in Georgia such as hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs

Note: European ferrets are legal as pets if neutered by 7 months old and vaccinated against rabies. Wolf hybrids are not a legal pet in Georgia. Most exotic cat hybrids, such as a savannah cat, are not a legal pet in Georgia.

Aardvark; all species

Elephants; all species

Conies; all species

Manatee, dugong; all species

Ungulates (hoof stock); all species except American bison, water buffalos, and llamas

Rhinoceros

Wart hog

Hippopotamus

Hawks, eagles, vultures, etc.; all species

Turkeys; all species except those normally domesticated

Cuckoos; all species

Owls; all species

Sky larks

Bulbuls; all species

Thrushes; all species of genus Turdus

White eyes; all species of genus Zosterops

Yellow hammers

Sparrows; all species of genus Passer except English sparrow

Cape weaver

Baya weaver

Queleas; all species

Blackbirds, grackles, etc.; all species of genera Molothrus, Quiscalus, Agelaius

Monk parakeet (a.k.a. Quaker parakeet)

Java sparrow (a.k.a. Java Rice Bird, Java Rice Finch)

Note: The Georgia Department of Agriculture has determined the Quaker or Monk Parakeet and the Java Rice Bird are prohibited from entry into the State of Georgia due to being capable of breeding in the wild and, if established in the wild, presenting a threat of being detrimental to the agriculture industry of this State.

Starlings, mynas, etc.; all species except European starling and Hill mynas